‘Key player’ in Chew case appears in court

Idris Elahi, described as a key player in the Oct. 29 stabbing death of Matthew Chew in downtown New London, made his first appearance this morning in the New London court where major crimes are heard.

Attorney Bruce A. McIntyre, a private attorney who contracts with the state to serve as a special public defender, was assigned to represent Elahi, who is 17. He will return to court on Dec. 23.

Elahi is one of six teens accused of attacking and killing Chew as the 25-year-old artist and restaurant worker walked home from work. Elahi and Marquis Singleton are both charged with murder, while four others are charged with accessory to murder. The six teens allegedly jumped and attacked Chew because they were “bored.”

Judge Patrick J. Clifford ordered the arrest warrant detailing the case against Elahi to remain sealed through Jan. 10. The judge also ordered sealed 15 search warrants the New London Police obtained for the homes and cell phones of the defendants.

Elahi did not enter a plea during his brief appearance this morning. As defendants in a murder case, Elahi and the others have the option of having a probable cause hearing at which the state would have to prove it has enough evidence to continue prosecuting them.

Elahi is being held on $1.25 million bond at the Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire.